Gratitude Lounge
Welcome to our community space to support and celebrate Grateful Living. Please consider reflecting on questions such as these: What am I grateful for? How does gratefulness enrich my life, my community, the world? What is grateful living inspiring me to do? You are welcome to include images and videos to illustrate your reflections…
The Daily Question for Feb 4 asks how we embrace imperfection.
I embrace imperfection every day. It’s how I survive the day! Here’s proof!
Thank you for the smile! Um, where’s your electric guitar?
I’m afraid I’m not coordinated enough to grove to a guitar without my wig falling off in the process! Ha!
Haha Kevin….what a precious soul you are! Thank you for sharing this delightful picture with us…surely every child (teenagers in the background!) there was blessed by your willingness to embrace silly-ness!
Thanks for your kind words, Diana. I never would have survived working with young people for 45 years and counting without being silly from time to time. The older I got, the more “time to time” came around!
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Oh dear Kevin – this brings huge grinning smile to my face
I just love to see these types of pictures and read about these things; it is heartfull play/goofiness and I just love it! One of my imperfections is wearing non-matching clothes full of vibrant colors. Lots of love to you and your family <3
Thanks Manda. Wishing you and your loved ones health and attending Grace as well. I’ve added another “smile potential” for your viewing pleasure….! Now and then the kids insist on dressing me in funky attire. The man pointing at me, (who is one of my advisers in the program I ran for many years) seems to be expressing his doubts in the retreat leader….me!
Heehee, thanks Kevin.
Kevin, you are a delight!
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Just beautiful, so much fun, Kevin, thanks a lot!!
Thank you sweeties for your thoughtful words and I shall respond tomorrow <3
I am grateful for a day of starting out feeling good and then taking a tumultuous turn when I drove into town to drop off my brother a gift for his Nepal retreat. It put in me contact with fear, unknowing, distrust for a glimpse and allowed a beautiful opportunity to place my hand on my heart focusing on this moment, this moment, this moment and it lightened. I stayed with it, wondering if I should turn around t...
Thank you sweeties for your thoughtful words and I shall respond tomorrow <3
I am grateful for a day of starting out feeling good and then taking a tumultuous turn when I drove into town to drop off my brother a gift for his Nepal retreat. It put in me contact with fear, unknowing, distrust for a glimpse and allowed a beautiful opportunity to place my hand on my heart focusing on this moment, this moment, this moment and it lightened. I stayed with it, wondering if I should turn around to the safety of my home – and I realized everything is it as should be and the moment is lovely just as it is, to hug it, cry, and just be. I believe it may have been due to the obscenely large raw garlic clove I ate just prior that was a past trauma experience of taking niacin. Regardless of evaluating the who's, hows, whys, and whats – it was an opportunity to breath and breath and be ok with whatever arose. I am grateful for this experience.
I enjoyed some sensational spring rolls and a sweet, short walk with Jack bear. I am contemplating the antibiotics that sit in my cupboard from the doctors visit Friday and shall see what the morning holds. I went to the store and instead of buying more emergenc, I went for tons of fresh fruit that smells just divine – how fantastic this is to have such availability and all the people that make this a possibility and to be able to afford such a luxury.
I leave you with this poem from Tara Brach's 2017 retreat:Allow
By Danna Faulds
There is no controlling life.
Try corralling a lightning bolt,
containing a tornado. Dam a
stream and it will create a new
channel. Resist, and the tide
will sweep you off your feet.
Allow, and grace will carry
you to higher ground. The only
safety lies in letting it all in –
the wild and the weak; fear,
fantasies, failures and success.
When loss rips off the doors of
the heart, or sadness veils your
vision with despair, practice
becomes simply bearing the truth.
In the choice to let go of your
known way of being, the whole
world is revealed to your new eyes.
With love to you and gratitude for your kindness <3 Blessings to our magical world. xx
Oh, dear, Manda! Attack of the Killer Garlic Clove...I know it well. We grow heirloom garlic, and we have discovered there are indeed differences in the potencies of their bite! Not long ago, I used some Pskem to make a garlic mayonnaise, which was tasty but had unforeseen after effects on my poor husband, especially. Pskem is an awesome garlic cooked, so tasty it makes you want to eat the pan, too, but eaten raw it is an angry biker gang in the GI tract.
Love the poem. "Resist, and the tide...
Oh, dear, Manda! Attack of the Killer Garlic Clove…I know it well. We grow heirloom garlic, and we have discovered there are indeed differences in the potencies of their bite! Not long ago, I used some Pskem to make a garlic mayonnaise, which was tasty but had unforeseen after effects on my poor husband, especially. Pskem is an awesome garlic cooked, so tasty it makes you want to eat the pan, too, but eaten raw it is an angry biker gang in the GI tract.
Love the poem. “Resist, and the tide will sweep you off your feet.” Perfect.
I just caught a three part video webinar (about ten minutes each if that) by Tara Brach on the NICABM site. Good stuff!
Ok, Aine – that is an expression I will need to remember “an angry biker gang in the GI tract” You have brought me tears of laughter twice today…thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thanks a lot, dear Manda, for sharing these sensitive emotional moments, and your staying moment by moment, pausing and letting the fear passing by. Such a bold example for me, too, for managing difficult moments and emotions, like it is expressed in the beautiful poem you shared, too. Allow and let go, moment by moment. An inspiration.
Thank you sweet Ose for your beautiful words and sharing <3
Dear Manda, this is a gift you share, your experience of working through a fearful, bewildering moment and I thank you for it. And also for the poem which really speaks to my heart right now. Allow, yes.
I hope the residual of the flu continues to clear. That you are feeling lighter and brighter this morning and that it shall last through the day. Blessings too to your brother as he embarks on his retreat.
Thank you dear grateful sea. Your words are lovely to read this morning and your thoughtfulness of well wishes for me and my brother. You are most kind <3
Lovely poem. Thank you for sharing it with us. Sending a warm sunshine-y hug to you and Jack bear
Thank you lovely Nancy – Jack bear and I can feel you warm sunshiney hug! Reminds me of the song “it is going to be a bright, bright, bright, bright sunshiney day
Sweet wishes to you <3
“I can see clearly now…the rain is gone…I can see all obstacles…in my way…gone are the dark clouds…that had me blind…it’s gonna be a bright, bright, bright sunshiney day!”
Manda, sending you warm and loving hugs this morning. May the spirit of Mother Earth wrap you in her arms. May you feel sunshine on your face and to breathe in the healing power of wood and sky. You have the love and comfort of Jack Bear and of course all of us. I love the poem….thank you for sharing.
XX
You are most thoughtful THenry – I love this sentiment of Mother Earth wrapping me in her arms. This is often part of my nightly meditation of being cocooned in a magnimous tree branch with critters everywhere, Jack bear and Violet playing and dancing, all during the golden hour with fireflies and magic and such. Thank you for extending such warm kindness – I am comforted by your words and this beautiful community. Loving wishes <3
Hi dear souls, this week I have not been here an, coming just now, I want to thank you all for your answers, when I spoke about my health issues. Thank you for your kindness, your closeness, your joyous words. I love you all, so much!
Thank to Cintia who replied to my question about her teaching.
So glad to see all your icons here.
THenry, I wish you a quick recovery.
I have not read every post, because I have a few time, but I feel at home. I know everyone is here. See you soon, may you enj...
Hi dear souls, this week I have not been here an, coming just now, I want to thank you all for your answers, when I spoke about my health issues. Thank you for your kindness, your closeness, your joyous words. I love you all, so much!
Thank to Cintia who replied to my question about her teaching.
So glad to see all your icons here.
THenry, I wish you a quick recovery.
I have not read every post, because I have a few time, but I feel at home. I know everyone is here. See you soon, may you enjoy your week end.
I must have missed the post on your health issues, Anna. Are you okay?
Lovely healthy wishes to you, Anna
Cara Anna, I am so glad to see you here!
All good wishes for your healing, dear Anna, for to find out the healthy diet and to be completely well again soon. May this Sunday and the rays of the sun bring fresh energy to your recovery.
Hi dear Anna, I have been thinking of you and am happy to see you again, take good care friend
Hello Anna, my thought and prayer this moment is that you see your way through your recent health challenges.
xx
While for you, Diane, the day begins, here it slowly comes to an end.
I am grateful for having had the possibility to meet some of my dear friends today, just for chatting in a cafe´and sharing lunch together, enjoying being together after having finished the shopping on the producer market.
It is such a gift just to leave house and be able to go to a market around the corner to buy needed food. Each Saturday we are gifted with the possibility to buy fresh veg., fruits, cheese and other foo...
While for you, Diane, the day begins, here it slowly comes to an end.
I am grateful for having had the possibility to meet some of my dear friends today, just for chatting in a cafe´and sharing lunch together, enjoying being together after having finished the shopping on the producer market.
It is such a gift just to leave house and be able to go to a market around the corner to buy needed food. Each Saturday we are gifted with the possibility to buy fresh veg., fruits, cheese and other food offered directly by the farmers, of whom several even grow their goods biologically by now. Every Saturday morning it is such a pleasure to be there to sharing this all with my friends.
I wish this will be possible for people all over the world. It is such a natural and universal expression of living peacefully together. I enclose this wish into my prayers. So it is nearly bedtime by now, have a good night, you dear friends out there.
We used to sell in summer at farmers markets near here, Ose. We sold tomatoes, homemade jams, heirloom garlic, handmixed spice mixes, Zuchetta Rampicante Tromboncino, and cool handmade drinks. We stopped when my health went blooey.
Sadly, the markets around here struggle. It is a huge farming area but mostly Big Ag, as they say, and only a few smaller producers, and even fewer organic ones.
Some of the larger more established markets in the city areas are now taking the food assistance de...
We used to sell in summer at farmers markets near here, Ose. We sold tomatoes, homemade jams, heirloom garlic, handmixed spice mixes, Zuchetta Rampicante Tromboncino, and cool handmade drinks. We stopped when my health went blooey.
Sadly, the markets around here struggle. It is a huge farming area but mostly Big Ag, as they say, and only a few smaller producers, and even fewer organic ones.
Some of the larger more established markets in the city areas are now taking the food assistance debit cards for low income, which is nice. It makes healthier food at a more reasonable price than health food stores more widely available to those who take the opportunity.
What a beautiful Saturday morning you describe, I am happy for you, my friend.
Good morning lovely people:
As so often happens, yesterday's Word of the Day was just what I needed to stop grumbling and reclaim my hygge intentions this winter!
"If we belong to the sun and its warmth, to the bud and the sprout, to the miraculous flower, we also belong to the wind, the naked branch, the cold."
The bitter cold continues here in the Northeast and my whole being is crying out for "the sun and its warmth"to arrive. Yesterday in particular was difficult because of the low te...
Good morning lovely people:
As so often happens, yesterday’s Word of the Day was just what I needed to stop grumbling and reclaim my hygge intentions this winter!
“If we belong to the sun and its warmth, to the bud and the sprout, to the miraculous flower, we also belong to the wind, the naked branch, the cold.”
The bitter cold continues here in the Northeast and my whole being is crying out for “the sun and its warmth”to arrive. Yesterday in particular was difficult because of the low temps combined with blustery winds that just went right through me…and I had a major case of the grumpies! I’m grateful for this reminder (more like a “smack upside my head”!) that reminded me to keep on practicing hygge as I promised myself, and the Universe, that I would.
This quote reminded me also of St. Francis’ Canticle of Creation that I often recite in the mornings as part of my meditation time:
“Be praised, my Lord, for our Brothers Wind and Air and every kind of weather by which you uphold life in all your creatures”.
I’ve always felt a special kinship to St. Francis….I have a lovely statue of him in my garden right outside my sunroom and have a ritual of greeting him in the morning and saying goodnight in the evening right before going to bed. I am grateful for his presence in my life. And as long as I’m channeling St. Francis I will add that it is hard to live out the prayer “Lord make me an instrument of your peace” if I’m not being peace-full about what Mother Nature is offering right now!
Just wanted to share these little nudges that I’ve been getting as a gift to anyone else who may be struggling with the cold as I am. Hygge heroes unite!
~Warm hygge hugs to you all on this delightfully
cold February morning.
Sending warm hygge hugs back to you this snowy morning, Diane. I feel a sense of hygge looking out the frosted window to see the birds (stripey sparrows, dusky juncos, fire bright cardinals) hopping about in their fluffy feathers and bare feet(!) gleaning seeds below the feeder. Amazing, really.
There seems to be a problem with the website I shared below and I cannot edit or delete my post, I will try again:
innerpeacemasterclass.com
Thank you for sharing this, Palm. I have checked the website and signed up, it looks good.
Thank you for your company on this event, grateful sea, I have just listened to Father Richard Rohr’s interview, I loved what he said about the purpose of suffering, among other things…
Which interview was this? Can you post the link to it to me?
innerpeacemasterclass.com
The interviews are on for 48 hours and this one should still be there I think…
Yes, I loved the whole interview, so compassionate and honest. I would like to watch again to jot down a few concepts, but especially when he said about suffering (that you must keep looking at it until its lessons are learnt) this helped me realize something about my life right now. The meditation on the psalm at the end brought me to tears. Thank you again, Palm, for letting us know about the class.
Exactly! Thank you for writing the conclusion about the purpose of suffering, I’d got the idea intuitively but this helps to remember… I was also moved with the meditation, so glad we are sharing, grateful sea
Dear friends, like Ursula I am delighted to read all the beautiful sharings. I just wanted to share another online event in which I am finding valuable interviews
A blessed weekend to all
Hello dear grateful people,
Thank you for all your beautiful posts full of hope, gratitude, confidence, learning, narrating your experiences of joy, anxiety, strength, weakness! Thank you for poetry, pictures of marvelous nature’s gifts (trees!!), telling about coming together with family and friends. All so beautiful! Best wishes to all who have to get well after feeling ill!
Yesterday evening, despite being quite tired, I went to an event remembering a woman who dedicated her life to help ...
Hello dear grateful people,
Thank you for all your beautiful posts full of hope, gratitude, confidence, learning, narrating your experiences of joy, anxiety, strength, weakness! Thank you for poetry, pictures of marvelous nature’s gifts (trees!!), telling about coming together with family and friends. All so beautiful! Best wishes to all who have to get well after feeling ill!
Yesterday evening, despite being quite tired, I went to an event remembering a woman who dedicated her life to help and live with young refugees and homeless people. She passed away 2 weeks ago, and in her honour people came together on the ‘Heldenplatz’ (heroes’ place) in Vienna which played a dark role 80 years ago.
We lit candles, some persons including our president remembered the lady in their speeches, and it was a political event at a moment in which politics seem to take a turn to radical and excluding positions once again … More than 20 years ago, we also had an ‘ocean of light’ event for the very same purpose, including people from other countries rather than speaking against them, as did some political leaders …
Thousands of people holding lights on february 2, which is also a light holiday since ancient times (we call it Maria Lichtmess, in other cultures known as ‘la Candelaria’ or in Celtic tradition Imbolc) is a powerful and important sign!Blessings on everyone, have a good week-end! ~
That encourages my heart, Ursula. Beautiful image!
Hello Ursula, this event as an ‘ocean of light’ is beautiful to imagine. I’m glad you could be a part of it. May refugees everywhere be embraced.
Dear Ursula....so happy to hear that, although tired, you had the strength to attend such a beautiful event. I got tears in my eyes as I read about it. Lately, the breadth of injustice and hatred has been weighing heavy on my spirit. We need "an ocean of light" for this hurting world. It's sad that this event turned political but I am inspired by the vision of thousands of people holding lights...yes a powerful sign! How wonderful to be a part of that.
“In the midst of darkness, ligh...
Dear Ursula….so happy to hear that, although tired, you had the strength to attend such a beautiful event. I got tears in my eyes as I read about it. Lately, the breadth of injustice and hatred has been weighing heavy on my spirit. We need “an ocean of light” for this hurting world. It’s sad that this event turned political but I am inspired by the vision of thousands of people holding lights…yes a powerful sign! How wonderful to be a part of that.
“In the midst of darkness, light persists.” (Gandhi)
Thank you for being a light in the darkness my friend
Thank you so much, Diane! Well, I do hope that I am a light un the darkness, but as I am human, I have also my dark sides.
Wanted to say that the event turned political in a positive way, because standing up for our and everybody’s human rights is always political!!
Oh good….I’m glad it was the good kind of political. Here in the U.S. unfortunately there is so much negativity in politics these days so my brain sadly automatically goes there!
We All Fall Down
At times
More than we care to admit
We stumble
I trip over stuff
Every damn day
What junk gets in your way?
When you come upon the fallen tree in the road
Know that He is there
Don’t take the detour
Plow thru
He is the light
He is the way
Just say yes
Even in the darkest nite
Just tell him
I will follow thee
T Henry
August 16, 2013
Thank you for this poem, T. Henry.
Hooray, THenry is back! ????
Thank you for sharing your gift of poetry with us again T. Henry. Like Nancy , I have missed seeing you here. Your poems always resonate with me, and this one is no exception. In my journey it is important for me be reminded often that I am not the only one who is stumbling around and tripping over stuff!
~Have a blessed day
Hi Diane, I've missed seeing and interacting with the good folks in the Lounge. I was hospitalized for 10 days due to a perforation in my large intestine. I developed an abscess and I've been on antibiotics since Jan. 22.
I was released on Wednesday with the hope of healing via daily IV antibiotic (to avoid surgery)
I'm no hero, it was tough for a while, but I am on the mend, albeit slowly.
More tests next week and a visit with my surgeon to see where things stand.
Each of us deals with p...
Hi Diane, I’ve missed seeing and interacting with the good folks in the Lounge. I was hospitalized for 10 days due to a perforation in my large intestine. I developed an abscess and I’ve been on antibiotics since Jan. 22.
I was released on Wednesday with the hope of healing via daily IV antibiotic (to avoid surgery)
I’m no hero, it was tough for a while, but I am on the mend, albeit slowly.
More tests next week and a visit with my surgeon to see where things stand.
Each of us deals with pain, sometimes physical, sometimes emotional, often the emotional coming as a result of the physical burdens we face.
God is with me, always. Thankful that I have you good folks to lean on. I will persevere.
Blessings on everyone. Take each day as it was intended……a true gift from above.
Lots of healing love and may you continue each moment to regain health. xx
Wishing you Light, strength and continued healing…..
I will pray, THenry! That sounds incredibly painful and tricky. I am sorry you have been suffering and will pray for the best possible outcome for you.
You are right that emotional can come from physical, but physical also can come from emotional, body-mind-spirit. We are, as the Psalmist says so eloquently in Psalm 139, “fearfully and wonderfully made!”
May you be surrounded by love, care, and comfort as you heal.
I hold you in my prayers, THenry! Get well!!
Blessings, ursula
So sorry to hear of your health issues. I am glad to hear you are on the mend though. I will keep you in my heart to return to your 100% self. You were dearly missed. Take care and rest easy
My goodness, THenry. Such a severe physical situation, covered by iv Antibiotics which fortunately seem to do the job, as you are slowly on the mend. I am happy still that you and your doctors keep an eye very closely to the situation. My prayers will be with you as well. Please keep us informed, and all the best for your soon recovery. Warm greetings to you.
Yikes THenry! I’m so sorry to hear of the challenges your body is facing. Kudos to the doctors who are tending to you for not rushing into surgery….I will send up a prayer that the antibiotics will do their healing work. Having them administered intravenously is promising.
It’s a comfort to live with the knowledge that God is as near as your next breath. Take good care and please let us know how you are doing.
~Blessings
I send a prayer for your healing, dear T.Henry. Welcome back. Gratefully yours, C.
Dear THenry – I have missed you and was just thinking about where you have been lately just this morning. And, you send us this beautiful poem. Yes, we all fall down and, if lucky as we are here, have loving hands that reach out to us to lift us up again. Welcome back dear THenry
May I keep a copy of this for a daily reminder?
Hi Nancy, it is good to be back. You certainly may keep a copy. The best part of writing, is the sharing.
I have created a folder on my desktop titled “Poems of THenry” ???? Blessings to you and wishing you a speedy recovery
I am grateful that yesterday's Word of the Day is still ringing in my ears as an antidote to the tearfulness/fearfulness that seemed to overwhelm again this morning. I did manage to smile at the fear once or maybe twice. This felt like grace. It also felt like a small step forward even though what further action I am to take, as far as remedying an unhealthy living situation, is still not clear.
I am grateful for nerdy distractions. Spent some time this morning reading about palm trees ...
I am grateful that yesterday’s Word of the Day is still ringing in my ears as an antidote to the tearfulness/fearfulness that seemed to overwhelm again this morning. I did manage to smile at the fear once or maybe twice. This felt like grace. It also felt like a small step forward even though what further action I am to take, as far as remedying an unhealthy living situation, is still not clear.
I am grateful for nerdy distractions. Spent some time this morning reading about palm trees around the world. How marvelous, beautiful, and symbolic they are! So many varieties… the date palm, açaí palm, and coconut palm to name just a few.
I am grateful for the gift of laughter which welled up when I ran across the following quote in material unrelated to my readings about palm trees. It speaks deeply to my desire to open and keep opening to love, to life. My desire to wake up and stay awake, despite what temporary disturbances of inner peace may ensue. And it reminds me that a little zaniness certainly has its place along the spiritual path.
“In the garden of gentle sanity,
May you be bombarded by coconuts of wakefulness.”
(Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche)
I am so grateful to be walking in this sacred grove with all of you.
???????????? Wonderful !! I too need to write down this quote!! Perhaps not all is bad about insanity then...
I am still to find out about the South Carolina Palmetto, started googling it but then had to go back to duties... it is a blessing to have time to indulge in 'nerdy distractions' and will borrow your research idea when I can grateful sea, thank you!
I just heard an interview with Cheryl Richardson and she was saying that when things are not clear it is important to treasure the meand...
???????????? Wonderful !! I too need to write down this quote!! Perhaps not all is bad about insanity then…
I am still to find out about the South Carolina Palmetto, started googling it but then had to go back to duties… it is a blessing to have time to indulge in ‘nerdy distractions’ and will borrow your research idea when I can grateful sea, thank you!
I just heard an interview with Cheryl Richardson and she was saying that when things are not clear it is important to treasure the meandering too, and I believe that is what you are doing, happy for you dear friend
Cheryl Richardson has some very good things to say! ????
Yes! Her name kept on sounding familiar to me while watching her interview and then flash! I remembered a book that had caught my attention yeeears ago at the book shop ‘the art of extreme self care’, no wonder….
Treasure the meandering, I like that. Thank you, Palm.
… and so are we, and so am I, dear grateful sea. Grateful that you could find some jesting to (c)ease your fear. May be a joyful song by Harry Bellafonte, “Coconut woman”, gives you some smiles counteracting fear today? it is easy to find in YouTube. Not so sophisticated may be, but joyful for sure, may some more happy moments brighten your day today. Feel embraced.
Thank you, Ose. I will look for the song. I wish happy moments for your day too.
Oh, I LOVE it! That needs to be painted on a piece of wood with a majestic coconut palm on it! Would you send me the link to where you found it? I need that on my wall!
Or, a rock ????
I'm glad it speaks to you, too! I know so little, only that he (Rinpoche) was a Buddhist teacher and that the quote comes from his book of poems, Timely Rain. I saw the quote when it popped up randomly on the side of a Daily Good article. I have found a very good, short essay (appropriately titled Bombarded by Coconuts of Wakefulness) putting it into context at the website of Lions Roar, a magazine of Buddhist wisdom. You can find it there if you wish. Yes, I had a good laugh imagining misc...
I’m glad it speaks to you, too! I know so little, only that he (Rinpoche) was a Buddhist teacher and that the quote comes from his book of poems, Timely Rain. I saw the quote when it popped up randomly on the side of a Daily Good article. I have found a very good, short essay (appropriately titled Bombarded by Coconuts of Wakefulness) putting it into context at the website of Lions Roar, a magazine of Buddhist wisdom. You can find it there if you wish. Yes, I had a good laugh imagining mischievous little monkeys pelting me with those coconuts. Bring it on!
Also a reminder of how Gilligan on Gilligan’s Island was forever running into the trees and pelting Skipper with coconuts. He must have had a cement head!
Good morning, dear friends here. So grateful about this new day with the sun which is about to arrive here.
Recently, I nearly lost hope, but fortunately could find back to see some light, meaning not to give up hope that all may be well again some day, with all of you here as well.
I would like to express my clear intention to let go of old habits of mind, which did hurt others so much and for which I feel deeply sorry to have caused such pain. I will do all I can do to free myself and o...
Good morning, dear friends here. So grateful about this new day with the sun which is about to arrive here.
Recently, I nearly lost hope, but fortunately could find back to see some light, meaning not to give up hope that all may be well again some day, with all of you here as well.
I would like to express my clear intention to let go of old habits of mind, which did hurt others so much and for which I feel deeply sorry to have caused such pain. I will do all I can do to free myself and others from this bad habits of mind.
To be in this world with gratefulness, with an open, loving heart and mind towards each and everything I encounter, that´s the way to become free of it, until no shadow remains. Please, let me walk together with you in this. Gratefully yours.
Oh, dear Ose, we all stumble in the dusk sometimes, grateful indeed for the hand of a friend to reach out and steady us or to call us towards the light. Of course we walk with you as you do with us. The community of like minds is a precious gift.
I am so grateful that we all of us do that for the other here. It is such a blessing! My only regret is that we are unable to sit to tea together or share hugs, some flowers, a laugh. Such beautiful, blessed spirits in here!h
Thank you, dear Aine, for your loving post. Walking together with all of you here and reaching hands to each other to steady each other towards the light is such a gift. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to share this here with all of you. Have a lovely day, dear Aine, and all the best wishes for finding the new home filled with love which you are seeking for.
Dear Ose.....it is something of a miracle that you are here with us. I remember when I first stumbled across this sacred community...it was a healing balm for my wounded heart and spirit. Miraculous.
Please be assured that we, each one of us, is walking with you on your journey towards wholeness....and it truly is a journey! I am learning that sometimes there are detours and potholes on the journey, but this community of loving and compassionate souls helps me to stay on the path. It is a...
Dear Ose…..it is something of a miracle that you are here with us. I remember when I first stumbled across this sacred community…it was a healing balm for my wounded heart and spirit. Miraculous.
Please be assured that we, each one of us, is walking with you on your journey towards wholeness….and it truly is a journey! I am learning that sometimes there are detours and potholes on the journey, but this community of loving and compassionate souls helps me to stay on the path. It is a gratefulness path. And such a beautiful way to travel.
~Sending blessings and a warm hug to you my friend.
Thanks so much! And yes, it is a miraculous community, I can feel what you meant that it was a balm to your wounded heart and spirit. Feel embraced, dear Diane
Yes, dear Ose, we walk together in this. I want to say that you are beautiful and loved just the way you are and yet I also celebrate your transforming. As Nancy has said, what is happening in your heart and the way you are responding so courageously can only lead to healing. With warm hand over my own heart, I wish you blessings, blessings.
Thanks again, dear grateful sea. I am grateful and deeply moved by your gesture of love.
Still beaming out to you, dear one.
Dear Ose – do not give up hope – my grandma always said it is darkest before the dawn. You are on the path of awareness and that is always the first step. Letting go of old mind habits is a process that takes time. With your awareness and so bravely sharing here can only lead to healing. I am sending you a warm loving hug. Everyone’s sharing here is also helping me to shift my perspective to a more open and loving heart. I hope you have lovely day sweet friend. We will all walk together wi...
Dear Ose – do not give up hope – my grandma always said it is darkest before the dawn. You are on the path of awareness and that is always the first step. Letting go of old mind habits is a process that takes time. With your awareness and so bravely sharing here can only lead to healing. I am sending you a warm loving hug. Everyone’s sharing here is also helping me to shift my perspective to a more open and loving heart. I hope you have lovely day sweet friend. We will all walk together with you in this with open and loving hearts
So very thankful for your warm words and your kind and loving company, dear Nancy. Have a lovely day, too.
I am grateful to have caught the flu - it has really allowed me the opportunity to slow way down in everything. I have taken time from practices, enjoyed the mindfulness summit, walks in the forest have become sloth-like, and the bear is every full of joy <3 He has been prowling the yard with the perfect spot for his bone, gracefully tilling my dormant perennial gardens. I shall post the photo I took soon. I also caught up on the last of the Xmas movies from the library - lucky me two mor...
I am grateful to have caught the flu – it has really allowed me the opportunity to slow way down in everything. I have taken time from practices, enjoyed the mindfulness summit, walks in the forest have become sloth-like, and the bear is every full of joy <3 He has been prowling the yard with the perfect spot for his bone, gracefully tilling my dormant perennial gardens. I shall post the photo I took soon. I also caught up on the last of the Xmas movies from the library – lucky me two more randomly came in the first day of my bout of gunk
I am grateful for hot, spicy soup, natures antibiotics of raw garlic, apple cider vinegar, jalapeño, chinese herbs, ginger, and doses of hot, hot tea! I see my doctor tomorrow and will be a welcome treat to have a check up as my stitch scars are a bit cranky from this six pack I am developing during this time
Grateful for the warm weather and doses of sun on my face. I did wake up in the middle night to med up and saw a glimpse of the beautiful trifecta moon magic *** Tonight the sky was covered in pink clouds – a bit of cotton candy spun. And hot baths and clean clothes – such beautiful luxuries.
Sweet, loving wishes to you and our amazing world <3 xx
Yippee Hooray, Manda came in! Oops. Manda caught flu. Am I allowed to be grateful for your flu because it gave you the chance to stop in? (I always miss your shining presence when you take a break.)
How are your arms doing?
Thai Chili Lemongrass soup is a wonderful respiratory booster, if you can find any. I once had it burn an embyronic respiratory gunk right out if me!
Wishing you soft pillows, soft covers, warm house, and cuddly Jack Bear to restore you to health!
Hi sweetie Aine! My arms are congested - how ironic as my whole upper body has joined in symphony of this goopy dance :) My hands though continue to get better - my acupuncturist has magical hands - and hoping one more round means I can bypass having needles put in my arms. They are a bit locked up as my jaw did. This job of mine needs to be revised :)
I shall have more spicy soup today - I made my version of jalapeño lemongrass soup and it is a kick to thinning the gunk ;-)
How are y...
Hi sweetie Aine! My arms are congested – how ironic as my whole upper body has joined in symphony of this goopy dance
My hands though continue to get better – my acupuncturist has magical hands – and hoping one more round means I can bypass having needles put in my arms. They are a bit locked up as my jaw did. This job of mine needs to be revised 
I shall have more spicy soup today – I made my version of jalapeño lemongrass soup and it is a kick to thinning the gunk
How are you dear friend? xx
Good morning Manda
I am so sorry to hear that you have caught this terrible flu that seems to be afflicting so many this winter. And I am so not surprised that you have looked upon it with gratefulness! This is your strength my friend, and such an inspiration to me. How are you feeling so far today? It’s still early morning in Arizona…I hope that you are feeling the warm sun on your face again this day Manda!
Sending you healing wishes…and a warm, long distance virtual hug!
Thank you darling Diane. Today I am very productively excreting stuff that is ready to leave my body, hurray! I am in positive spirits and moving slowly. I am looking forward to sunshine on my face this day as yesterday it ended up being a slow dusk walk – but I am not complaining as it was just as beautiful, just much colder
How are you feeling? Sendings hugs to you my dear friend <3
Good morning sweet Manda, so lovely are your simple gratitudes, even to have caught the flu! I hope you will be feeling much better soon. My heart smiles to think of your gentle Jack bear padding around the yard tending his chewy bone. Warm hugs to you both.
Sweet grateful sea, thank you for your kind well wishes. Hugs beautiful friend <3
What a nice surprise to see you Manda! I am sorry you caught the flu though. But, it doesn’t stand a chance against your hot, spicy soup. That warm sun on your face sounds so delicious. And, lovely hot baths and clean cloths is such a lovely simple pleasure. Sending you and your bear a warm sunshiney ???? hug.
Sweet Nancy, thank you for your kind words and warm sunshiney hug to the bear and I <3 xx
Good morning, dear Manda, such a nice surprise to read your post today. It is joy to see you here. Hope your flu and the stitch scars will heal soon! Have a lovely day, you and Jack.
Dearest Ose, thank you for your healing wishes and for the lovely day sentiments to Jack and I. You are most thoughtful <3 Lots of love to you
Good evening, dear grateful people who share here. Dealing with fear in a better way is essential for me as well. The timely words of Thich Nhat Hanh are indeed consoling, lovingly given as a gift to us by the gratefulness-team. Thanks a lot!
For me, it is not so easy so far to smile at fear, but these words help to do so at least inbetween, and I am very grateful for this support these days. I bow to everyone of you here, grateful to being allowed to be with you and sometimes praying for you,...
Good evening, dear grateful people who share here. Dealing with fear in a better way is essential for me as well. The timely words of Thich Nhat Hanh are indeed consoling, lovingly given as a gift to us by the gratefulness-team. Thanks a lot!
For me, it is not so easy so far to smile at fear, but these words help to do so at least inbetween, and I am very grateful for this support these days. I bow to everyone of you here, grateful to being allowed to be with you and sometimes praying for you, while each of you is dealing in such a unique way to face what has to be faced. Thank you for all your sharing here and your perspectives on this theme.
My decision of yesterday to encounter each of the people I meet with a grateful heart and mind for being here with me is changing the whole communication in a refined, subtle way. It is as if a mild light of love is suddenly more present, as if my heart is in silent communication with this loving energy and through this, with the other. The atmosphere between us was gifted with a kind of mild joy, which could as well rise to momentary happiness even in this short time, in all concerned. I am so grateful for these experiences since yesterday. I will go on with this and encounter each one with a grateful heart. Greetings to all of you.
I am working with changing my relationship with fear, too, Ose. What a process it is!
We need to remember that -- change is always a process. Too often I fret at myself for not going faster, but really, self-compassion has gotten me much farther much faster than my Push-Me ways.
Perhaps fear is simply my inner child pleading to be heard...and loved as is? I truly must admit I have historically been quite bad at listening to myself. I am learning!
I am so happy that you saw a shift in...
I am working with changing my relationship with fear, too, Ose. What a process it is!
We need to remember that — change is always a process. Too often I fret at myself for not going faster, but really, self-compassion has gotten me much farther much faster than my Push-Me ways.
Perhaps fear is simply my inner child pleading to be heard…and loved as is? I truly must admit I have historically been quite bad at listening to myself. I am learning!
I am so happy that you saw a shift in your interactions. That kind of awareness when we experiment with a new way helps encourage us to keep going, that what we are doing is good and healthy.
Thank you for being you, dear Ose, exactly as you are.
"Every time your fear is invited up, every time you recognize it and smile at it, your fear will lose some of its strength."
THICH NHAT HANH
Good morning lovely people:
Today's Word of the Day was a gift to me. Yesterday when I was sharing with my older daughter about my fear and anxiety I mentioned the poem by Rumi called "The Guest House". I was reminded of the freedom and healing that comes from welcoming whatever emotions may have decided to visit. Such a powerful image....of us bei...
“Every time your fear is invited up, every time you recognize it and smile at it, your fear will lose some of its strength.”
THICH NHAT HANH
Good morning lovely people:
Today’s Word of the Day was a gift to me. Yesterday when I was sharing with my older daughter about my fear and anxiety I mentioned the poem by Rumi called “The Guest House”. I was reminded of the freedom and healing that comes from welcoming whatever emotions may have decided to visit. Such a powerful image….of us being a welcoming host to our visitors, no matter.
A practice of mine has been to say out loud “welcome fear, I see you have decided to visit me today. I honor you and accept you into my guest house”.
Lately, and I have not practiced my little ritual. I’ve let the anxiety and fear paralyze me. Hmm…. maybe paralyze is not the right word. Perhaps a better word is avoidance….I just wanted it to go away!
I forgot to smile at my fear. I’m grateful for these beautiful words by Thich Nhat Hanh.
This morning I am grateful to have absolutely nothing that HAS to be done and for the awareness that I have been inventing things to do in a vain attempt to distract myself. I am grateful to have the opportunity today to sit quietly and be a guest house…and to smile at “whoever” has decided to visit me today!
So many detours and potholes on this journey. I am grateful for the guides, appearing in many forms, that lovingly nudge me when I most need it…especially each of you here in this sacred community.
I am reminded of Psalm 23: “Your rod and your staff they comfort me”. We are all of us like sheep, aren’t we? We need a Shepherd to gently steer us back to our life-path when we wander off!
~Sending warm hugs to you all
Good morning, Diane. I also received this Word of the Day as a gift, and too your reflection — as I am really struggling today with fears as well as the melted mess that sensory overload makes of me at such times as this — was even able to laugh at myself for a moment. The Rumi poem is one of my favorites. Thank you.
Are you familar with the verse that says, "You have caught all my tears in your bottle?" It is a reference to lachymatories (sp?) which were popular many many moons ago. If you spend some time googling it, you might have some fun. I looked it up after seeing some in the museum at Oberlin and getting curious.
The idea is that our tears are so precious to God and our suffering so near to the Divine Heart that we would be worth our own tear bottle.
There is no general guideline as to what c...
Are you familar with the verse that says, “You have caught all my tears in your bottle?” It is a reference to lachymatories (sp?) which were popular many many moons ago. If you spend some time googling it, you might have some fun. I looked it up after seeing some in the museum at Oberlin and getting curious.
The idea is that our tears are so precious to God and our suffering so near to the Divine Heart that we would be worth our own tear bottle.
There is no general guideline as to what counts either. We are the only ones who deem one pain as more worthy of compassion than another or as unworthy altogether.
Pethaps that is what self-compassion really is in the end — learning to view ourselves with the eyes of Love that the Divine has always had for us.
You never see the Good Shepherd yelling, “Would you shut UP, and stop that infernal bleating already!?! You’re all right! I told you that before!”
Nope. Instead, when our scared bleating is heard off on the other side of the hill, even if our wanderings have taken us there, the Good Shepherd searches until we are found then carries us gently and with joy.
Learning to see myself with that same tenderness and love is grace indeed.
The Psalm of David is my favorite and I know it by heart. I have found that the very things I fear the most are usually the things I need to fear the least. Enjoy your visitors today in your guest house ????
????
That the comfort of Psalm 23 comes after the agony of Psalm 22 is very meaningful to me. The foretaste of the crucifixion followed by the image of the Good Shepherd — wow.
Eventful and emotional day yesterday. I will admit I am reeling a bit still, anxiety has come to call again, and I feel unequal to the tasks before me. I feel like someone has wound all my strings far too tightly, and that is increasing my pain levels.
In truth, I think the dust probably needs to settle from yesterday in order for me to settle, too.
The day started with sadness due to us thinking one of our roosters, the injured Harpo, had been killed overnight. My husband had looked and ...
Eventful and emotional day yesterday. I will admit I am reeling a bit still, anxiety has come to call again, and I feel unequal to the tasks before me. I feel like someone has wound all my strings far too tightly, and that is increasing my pain levels.
In truth, I think the dust probably needs to settle from yesterday in order for me to settle, too.
The day started with sadness due to us thinking one of our roosters, the injured Harpo, had been killed overnight. My husband had looked and looked for him in the dark and cold the previous night, without luck. I had heard a squawk at 2am and then he looked again. Nothing. We figured an owl or raccoon had gotten him. Somehow, he had missed seeing Harpo in the coop and found him there the next day!
Midday I got a call from the loan officer re our financing options for moving. I had asked him if there was any possible way for us to move and sell afterwards since I am not physically or emotionally up to the strain of keeping a house Show Ready. I also have no vehicle to get the animals into and leave so people could view. Rather big obstacles!
The answer came back as a Yes, which caused me to dissolve into a puddle of mixed up goo — relief, fear, and reality hit all at once, I think. Good timing for today’s Quote of the Day!
It would mean very tight finances and a gamble on selling time needed, but it might actually be less stress than the alternative of selling with us in it. They do say a staged house sells faster than one with people still in evidence in it — especially three dogs, a cat, and a flock of chickens in the yard!
So now we have decisions to make, and it is getting real, very real.
I am grateful for all the learning I have been doing on having more self-compassion as it helped me come to a decision this morning that will give more grace to my husband and myself. Instead of setting up a situation where our old dynamic could play out as usual, I realized the potential and chose a new path! Whoo-hoo!
This is huge! It is a decision that, whatever else happens, greatly lessens the possibility of us going into default mode at each other while under stress. It plans ahead, takes our limitations into account, and shows me where we need to seek outside assistance.
Thus, while I am still feeling a bit snarled up and overwhelmed, that gives me a glimmer of hope that we can move through this learning experience with more grace and less unnecessary drama than before — oh, I do hope so!!
We also got more confirmation that moving is the right decision:
1) I found out that our house payment is up for readjustment in August, which will mean a higher amount to pay. ????
AND…2) We now have the dubious distinction of being the people paying THE highest amount of house insurance that the loan officer has ever seen. He said our payment is $3300 MORE per year than the top of the range he has seen in twenty years in business. Ouch.
I am staggered by this, especially as the amount extra we paid out over the course of our time here was about a year’s take home salary! Considering how much we struggled to make that amount while underemployed for nine years, it is hard to swallow.
There is, however, nothing to be done but learn and move on in a better way — good timing for today’s question of the day!
I am struggling, too, with the loss of this place that was our dream for so long, especially as no new place that feels like it could home has appeared. Please pray/hope/well wish with me that the perfect place will open up before us as this next stage unfolds — and that my knees stop knocking so I can hear myself think!
Apologies for length!
Dear friend: I have to start out by apologizing for not posting sooner. I read this yesterday and had such a visceral response that I couldn't possibly find the words. Like you....I think the dust had to settle first in order for me to have the presence of mind to reply. But, it has been on my heart to share with you and I will try this morning.
We moved just 2 years ago from the home in which we lived for 33 years and raised both our daughters in. It was "the house that Mark built" becau...
Dear friend: I have to start out by apologizing for not posting sooner. I read this yesterday and had such a visceral response that I couldn’t possibly find the words. Like you….I think the dust had to settle first in order for me to have the presence of mind to reply. But, it has been on my heart to share with you and I will try this morning.
We moved just 2 years ago from the home in which we lived for 33 years and raised both our daughters in. It was “the house that Mark built” because my husband put so much of his blood, sweat and tears into fixing, remodeling, etc. It was a 1 bedroom shack fixer-upper…….it was all we could afford at the time. It was so small that our bedroom furniture from our newlywed apartment didn’t fit in the tiny bedroom. The woman who had lived there was a chain smoker….all of the walls had nicotine stains running down them. She was 90+ years old and moving into a nursing home so the house was totally neglected. We tackled this project with the enthusiasm of youth (and before I got sick). It had to be completely gutted and re-wired. The refrigerator was on the back porch because there was no room for it in the kitchen. When our daughter was born….we slept in the living room for 3 years while putting on an addition.
We had a hurricane during this addition and just a tarp for a roof. I remember my husband climbing up there to make sure it stayed put…..terrifying. When we found out we were expecting (miraculously) a 2nd child 11 years later, we put on another addition (by this time I was very sick and we hired a family friend to do the work).
Needless to say, we had fully invested ourselves in this home (not to mention our neighborhood and community) and although I was excited to move out to the country, the memories and emotions were overwhelming.
And now, we add to that the stress and anxiety of selling our home, while at the same time, looking for a new one. I won’t go into all the gory (and they were extremely gory at times) details….suffice to say this was the most stressful thing I had ever gone through in my adult life. And that is saying something, considering I was living with chronic illness (the road to that diagnosis being it’s own nightmare), and had 2 high-risk pregnancies…the 2nd one at age 40, I spent 2 entire months in the hospital trying to keep this baby alive.
Wow….I am reliving this as I type and my hands are sweating and I have a pit in my stomach. But you have helped me in countless ways my friend and I hope that my sharing this will help you in some small way to not feel alone in this challenge. Trying to move when living with chronic illness is a “climbing Mt. Everest” experience that can be incredibly overwhelming. We also moved with 2 cats and a dog and had to find places for them to go during open houses. I remember people coming to look at the house and having to take the dog outside for a walk, regardless of how I felt physically at the time. Open houses were a nightmare….after all, we were living our lives, 2 full time jobs, 3 pets., etc. ……..of course we had to clean, scrub and stage each time for them. We had accumulated so much “stuff” over the 33 years..the sorting and cleaning out itself was a full time job. I lost track of how many times the goodwill van came to pick up our stuff. We threw out so much that I thought the sanitation guys would stop taking it…so we asked our neighbors if we could put some in their can on pick-up day! Haha.. We had a huge yard sale where we practically gave everything away for free!
Anyway…you get the idea. I am sharing all of this with you my friend in hopes that the end of this story will be of comfort and encouragement. We are so incredibly happy in our new home and environment and, without going into details (this is already too long!) I will state unequivocally that this house was waiting for us…and totally where we were meant to be. Please know that you will have this ending as well my friend. Your next home is waiting for you and you will fill it with your love and build some wonderful new memories. I will always treasure the 33 years we spent in our first home but am grateful every day that God led us here…and He will lovingly lead you to where you are meant to be and will be with you every step of the way. I believe this with all my heart.
Aine…..you ARE moving on to better things! A new chapter, a new adventure in your life story is unfolding. I pray you will rest knowing that you are being lovingly carried and will arrive at your destination at just the right time.
I am lighting a prayer candle for you this day and sending you love and light and peace dear friend.
~Blessings
Diane, just have read this and I thank you for this wonderful and blissful encouragement for Diane!
By the way, congrats on your strength when I read all that you have gone through!
Blessings ~ and good night as I am going to bed now!
I plan to reply tomorrow, but for now I just want to say Thank You. Your post showed up right as I was getting ready to leave for acupuncture on what had been a very rough morning. It was like a warm breeze. Thank you.
I remember part if a meditation by Louise Hay where she talks about loving a house and leaving it like that, full of love, and then thinking that you will find another house that has been also left full of that loving energy by its previous owner, that’s my wish for you dear Aine..
Sounds wonderful! Thank you, dear Palm!
I think of you when listening or talking about Louise Hay dear Ursula, you recommended her here, thank you, and I am happy to see you again!
Do you recall the name of it?
It's a portion of 'Affirmations and Power Thoughts' on youtube, I want to write it down, so that I can also remember it:
"I have the perfect living space.
Our living space is always an out picturing of our current state of consciousness.
If we hate where we live now, then no matter where we move, we will end up hating that too.
Bless your current abode with love, thank it for providing for your needs. Say that you are moving on and that wonderful new people are moving in to take your place...
It’s a portion of ‘Affirmations and Power Thoughts’ on youtube, I want to write it down, so that I can also remember it:
“I have the perfect living space.
Our living space is always an out picturing of our current state of consciousness.
If we hate where we live now, then no matter where we move, we will end up hating that too.
Bless your current abode with love, thank it for providing for your needs. Say that you are moving on and that wonderful new people are moving in to take your place. Leave love when you move and you will feel love in your new place.
Before I found my current home, I decided that I wanted to buy a house from people who were in love, of course, that is exactly what I found… my home is filled with the vibration of love.
I see myself living in a wonderful place, it fulfills all my needs and desires, it is in a beautiful location, and it is at a price I can easily afford”
Your story below is so sweet and cool dear Aine, thank you, I feel related but I will tell you another time because this post is long enough
Thank you, Palm, that is EXACTLY what I want! Our first house was not a happy house until suffering transformed us and then, through us, the house. I took to writing verses and statements within the walls as we practically rebuilt it, and after that, oddly enough, we saw a lessening of the oddball delays and obstacles we had been seeing.
By the time we left, it had become a lovely cottage, and it was purchased by a man who fell in love with it after he hit his head upstairs on the slated cei...
Thank you, Palm, that is EXACTLY what I want! Our first house was not a happy house until suffering transformed us and then, through us, the house. I took to writing verses and statements within the walls as we practically rebuilt it, and after that, oddly enough, we saw a lessening of the oddball delays and obstacles we had been seeing.
By the time we left, it had become a lovely cottage, and it was purchased by a man who fell in love with it after he hit his head upstairs on the slated ceiling while viewing it. Apparently, that was common for him at his grandmother’s house where he grew up, so it felt like home!
Oh, Palm, I love this image… leaving a house full of love… so full that it is beaming out the windows! And I also wish this for our dear Aine.
This visual has given me such an encouragement! Truly, this is what I want to draw us to it, a place of peace, love, and protection. Now I shall just tell the agent to look for a house with love beaming out the windows!
(On second thought, maybe I’ll just check that out for myself…)
Such awareness and courage I read in your post, dear Aine! Just calling the bank can be so frightening and shows our vulnerability to ourselves and perhaps the one who answers the phone or the questions. I bow before you in taking all of these steps. I am happy that you found someone to hear what is true about your situation, honoring your humanity and your struggle in all this. This certainly brings one face to face with "next steps" but now with a lot more information than you had before. You ...
Such awareness and courage I read in your post, dear Aine! Just calling the bank can be so frightening and shows our vulnerability to ourselves and perhaps the one who answers the phone or the questions. I bow before you in taking all of these steps. I am happy that you found someone to hear what is true about your situation, honoring your humanity and your struggle in all this. This certainly brings one face to face with “next steps” but now with a lot more information than you had before. You can look at homes with a real intent to purchase, and to imagine how you can (or cannot) make a new home your own. It is so hard to live in the limbo of waiting, and stay well prepared for potential home buyers to come and look at any time. Hug those knocking knees to your heart, breathe, and offer your hopes and intentions to the Universe, my friend. Maybe celebrate this step and news with a little wine, or tea (and cake?), and venture forth into this invitation at the pace that feels right to you and your husband. I pray, hope, and wish well with you in this long awaited journey. Be well
Thank you, dear Pilgrim. I know you did this process yourself not long ago!
My prayer is that we will be able to move before showing. I am not physically or emotionally feeling as if I am up to what it takes to keep a house Show Ready. My pain wound up increasing to such desperate levels the last two times someone came that I took days to recover.
One of the gifts in this is that I discovered that making this as easy on us as possible is key. I have never done that or seen things in that...
Thank you, dear Pilgrim. I know you did this process yourself not long ago!
My prayer is that we will be able to move before showing. I am not physically or emotionally feeling as if I am up to what it takes to keep a house Show Ready. My pain wound up increasing to such desperate levels the last two times someone came that I took days to recover.
One of the gifts in this is that I discovered that making this as easy on us as possible is key. I have never done that or seen things in that way before. I have always just tackled whatever was in front of me with no thought to what it might cost me — or my husband, either.
Self-compassion requires new choices in behavior. Hmmm.
Thank you for your prayers. I am sorting out what is current fear and what is old baggage. I suppose in the end, it is all a learning experience!
I do so pray/hope/well wish with you that the new homeplace that has been waiting for you will soon reveal, dear Aine. Powerful winds of change blowing, breathe deeply! This is wonderful news though I understand also the sadness and fear in the midst of such transition. I am sorry about Harpo.
Thank you, grateful. I think it will. I trust it will. It is simply scarier to move forward when you don't see where you are going! To be able to put oneself in context in the new place helps, and I don't have that yet.
No, the news on Harpo was good -- he was found in the coop ALIVE not dead. My wording might have been wonky in my fluttery state. ???? He is still favoring the leg but using it more, according to my husband. He and his brother, Groucho, got into a scuffle the other day, unus...
Thank you, grateful. I think it will. I trust it will. It is simply scarier to move forward when you don’t see where you are going! To be able to put oneself in context in the new place helps, and I don’t have that yet.
No, the news on Harpo was good — he was found in the coop ALIVE not dead. My wording might have been wonky in my fluttery state. ???? He is still favoring the leg but using it more, according to my husband. He and his brother, Groucho, got into a scuffle the other day, unusual for them, and Harpo lost.
We have a remarkably quiet flock given that we have so many roosters. (Surprise hatches!) So long as they are docile and behave, they can stay. ????
Hooray for Harpo! Time out for Groucho. Which one has a bigger moustache?
I have not yet figured out how to do a time out for a rooster! Lol They are almost identical brothers -- Welsummer father and Barred Rock mother. Their father's name is Gouda. They also had a brother named Timex (because of his alarm clock tendencies), but he went a new home with a friend whose hens needed a rooster. They have at least four nephews, two of which are named, Gabriel Oak and Michaelangelo. I have to name the other two still.
Now you see why a) egg production is down and b) why ...
I have not yet figured out how to do a time out for a rooster! Lol They are almost identical brothers — Welsummer father and Barred Rock mother. Their father’s name is Gouda. They also had a brother named Timex (because of his alarm clock tendencies), but he went a new home with a friend whose hens needed a rooster. They have at least four nephews, two of which are named, Gabriel Oak and Michaelangelo. I have to name the other two still.
Now you see why a) egg production is down and b) why we simply cannot treat the roosters as farm folk ordinarily would! Not only are we not killing them, we are praying for a new place where they will have a shelter to move to and room to free range safely. I just love watching their antics in the yard!
I am praying, hoping, wishing you well to find your perfect new home and that your knees stop knocking to better hear yourself think! Here’s to “onto better things”
????
Thank you, Nancy. Part of the difficulty is that I am still healing from the Late Stage Lyme and just not up to the amount of physical and emotional effort required to make the house over like HGTV. I am happy to be managing to do housework again on a lighter level and not under pressure, but the Show Ready level is out of the question. No can do!
We also only have one vehicle which is with my husband about an hour away. That presents a snag in being able to leave with dogs in tow even if I ...
Thank you, Nancy. Part of the difficulty is that I am still healing from the Late Stage Lyme and just not up to the amount of physical and emotional effort required to make the house over like HGTV. I am happy to be managing to do housework again on a lighter level and not under pressure, but the Show Ready level is out of the question. No can do!
We also only have one vehicle which is with my husband about an hour away. That presents a snag in being able to leave with dogs in tow even if I could handle the cleaning.
My thought is that new thinking will generate new answers — I just don’t know what they are yet!
I didn't realize you are healing from late stage lyme. I was bit by a tick with Lyme on 8/31/97 while I was running in the hills. I was lucky enough to have found the bite with the telltale halo. I had been unemployed for three years and no health insurance but had just landed a job! I educated myself from everything I could find on the internet and library about it. I was able to get myself to a doctor the day after Labor Day. I remember when I told the doctor I had been bitten by a tick ...
I didn’t realize you are healing from late stage lyme. I was bit by a tick with Lyme on 8/31/97 while I was running in the hills. I was lucky enough to have found the bite with the telltale halo. I had been unemployed for three years and no health insurance but had just landed a job! I educated myself from everything I could find on the internet and library about it. I was able to get myself to a doctor the day after Labor Day. I remember when I told the doctor I had been bitten by a tick with Lyme’s disease, she looked at me and said we don’t have that here (California). I showed her the bite site. I knew more about the disease than she did as she had to refer to her Physicians Desk Reference. Needless to say I received very timely medical treatment and recovered fully. I wish you had as well. But, I am hoping as you state you are healing from late stage Lyme with healing being the operative word. And, I wish I could be there to help you now.
And thank you for your kind wish to help! Much appreciated. I began packing last summer, but there is still more to do. I am having the hardest time bringing myself to pack up my pottery that I made. I have had the ones we don’t eat off of on display in a built in antique hutch since we moved in. Packing those makes it very real!
Yes, finding the halo and getting early treatment was wonderful! I am glad for you.
Mine went undiagnosed/misdiagnosed for about twenty five years, so no quick antibiotics fix. I never had the bullseye, but I think I know the exact tick who infected me -- shared inadvertently by a very loved Springer Spaniel who we lost to the disease in 1995.
I am healing using all alternative methods as that both fit my body best and was where the most convincing success stories of healing were. When t...
Yes, finding the halo and getting early treatment was wonderful! I am glad for you.
Mine went undiagnosed/misdiagnosed for about twenty five years, so no quick antibiotics fix. I never had the bullseye, but I think I know the exact tick who infected me — shared inadvertently by a very loved Springer Spaniel who we lost to the disease in 1995.
I am healing using all alternative methods as that both fit my body best and was where the most convincing success stories of healing were. When the Lyme doctor I saw who ordered the tests said I would be on a high powered anti biotic cocktail for anywhere from six months to twenty years, that was another confirmation that I was choosing the right path.
Lyme has really just been the portal to healing for me, a very challenging teacher who won’t let me slack off on learning things like self-compassion. ????
To all of you beautiful TreeSisters here. This is a tree I visited while hiking to a natural hot springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado last year. This tree was so maternal. Her huge branches bellowed out around her creating the most beautiful shelter. I went under her shelter and sat with her energy for awhile shared there with this proclamation of love someone before me shared with her. I hope all of you have a lovely day and find a simple pleasure to enjoy today ????
How very beautiful, Nancy! It is so magical when trees form a bower such as this. There is a very old three-stemmed pear tree, that does so on the property where I live now. I call her The Peace Pear. And your post reminds me to hike up there for a visit soon. So thank you! Oh, what a gift are natural hot springs for the winter weary.... I so miss them since moving from Wyoming. I hope you have a lovely day. PS the moon was indeed magnificent yesterday morning and I did get to see a sliv...
How very beautiful, Nancy! It is so magical when trees form a bower such as this. There is a very old three-stemmed pear tree, that does so on the property where I live now. I call her The Peace Pear. And your post reminds me to hike up there for a visit soon. So thank you! Oh, what a gift are natural hot springs for the winter weary…. I so miss them since moving from Wyoming. I hope you have a lovely day. PS the moon was indeed magnificent yesterday morning and I did get to see a sliver of eclipse before the moon dropped below horizon.
Lovely. Even her roots look like a wise elder seated and waiting. ????????????
Rarely if ever have I heard someone speak such fierce love. This was my thought as I listened in on a global AwaKin call Saturday.
The guest was Claire Dubois, founder of TreeSisters, a grassroots network of women planting over a million trees a year in the tropics. Their goal now is to reach a billion trees a year.
Why focus on the tropics? Research is showing that trees around the equator are crucial for mitigating climate change.
The story of how Claire came to found TreeSis...
Rarely if ever have I heard someone speak such fierce love. This was my thought as I listened in on a global AwaKin call Saturday.
The guest was Claire Dubois, founder of TreeSisters, a grassroots network of women planting over a million trees a year in the tropics. Their goal now is to reach a billion trees a year.
Why focus on the tropics? Research is showing that trees around the equator are crucial for mitigating climate change.
The story of how Claire came to found TreeSisters is quite remarkable and if interested you can listen to a recording of the call at awakin.org
The organization was built on the principle of five element acupuncture which fascinates me, though is as yet something I know next to nothing about.
There are some beautiful resources on the website (treesisters.org), including many guided meditations, such as The Inner Tree and The Healing Tree.
I share this because I know (and celebrate) that I am among great lovers of trees here. Peace, all.
Founded on five element? How incredibly cool! That has been the most effective form for me, though I give due to other forms that have helped mixed in. Adept practitioners seem to incorporate many things then use what fits each person best. ???? There is a powerful wisdom within Five Element of nature and how things work together. It is fascinating.
There is a dog food company, Earthborn Holistic, that will plant a tree for every UPC you send in. We used there stuff for years but had to swit...
Founded on five element? How incredibly cool! That has been the most effective form for me, though I give due to other forms that have helped mixed in. Adept practitioners seem to incorporate many things then use what fits each person best. ???? There is a powerful wisdom within Five Element of nature and how things work together. It is fascinating.
There is a dog food company, Earthborn Holistic, that will plant a tree for every UPC you send in. We used there stuff for years but had to switch recently to see if that was the root of the itchies and ear infection for one of our dogs. I am hoping to be able to switch to a new formula with them as I also loved that they never had recalls.
Thank you for the link!
Thank you, Aine. I am interested to know that you found ‘five element’ most helpful. I look forward to learning about the philosophical foundations of this ancient healing art.
This is beautiful grateful sea, TreeSister! I plan to listen to the Claire Dubois recording. And, the trees you share are simply beautiful
I hope you have a lovely day ????
Oops……Clare ????
Thank you, Nancy. I must say the photo is not my own, but found on a website for free images. I was so drawn to the strength of the two trees standing tall so close together, branches and roots intertwined.
Beautiful <3
Thank you, Palm(tree sister)! Oh, palm trees! We have only a few native species here in the US. I have a childhood love of the coastal Palmetto, state tree of my mother’s home state of South Carolina. I hope you have a good day.
Oh, I love
love what you say about the symbolism in the palm branch, grateful sea, thank you! I had never heard about it, so inspiring and truly meaningful, it will stay with me from now on, but I will twitch it a bit to “triumph of peace” Blessings friend
Oh grateful sea !! ???? This is soo sweet that you have made my day, my TreeSister… just want to share that the origin of my name comes from Palm Sunday, I hope you have a good day too
Ah, thank you for sharing with me! Such beautiful symbolism in the palm branch — triumph and peace.
How lovely to catch up with all of you this morning. I am grateful for each of you...your generosity of spirit in sharing so much of yourselves with us here. This is truly a sacred space.
I am grateful to see that I have been missed! It makes my heart smile real big and also makes me feel a little bit guilty for taking so long to stop by and visit. Life has been happening like a big giant wave that has swept over me. Please know that I have been thinking of you all with gratitude in my h...
How lovely to catch up with all of you this morning. I am grateful for each of you…your generosity of spirit in sharing so much of yourselves with us here. This is truly a sacred space.
I am grateful to see that I have been missed! It makes my heart smile real big and also makes me feel a little bit guilty for taking so long to stop by and visit. Life has been happening like a big giant wave that has swept over me. Please know that I have been thinking of you all with gratitude in my heart each and every day.
This morning I am simply grateful for the miracle of a new day of life. Lately, my little daily prayer has not flowed as smoothly as it usually does but I offer it up anyway:
“Gracias Papito Dios por el milagro de un otra dia de la vida”. Thank you dearest Abba Father for the miracle of another day of life.
I started saying this little prayer each morning when my youngest daughter was living in Spain…as a way of feeling connected to her.
Now she is living in New York City and you would think that I would be less anxious and fearful…after all she is at least in this country! And only about 90 minutes away! But alas, it is not to be…in fact my fear and trepidation have been overwhelming (the imagery of a tidal wave is the best way I can describe it) and debilitating.
My daughter is struggling with her new environment and the demands of graduate school and is questioning her decision…so it is up to me to be her encouragement, her cheerleader, and her strong and steady foundation. Her rock. And, with grace, I have been able to do that for her….all the while feeling like all I want to do is drag her back to our little farmhouse. She told me recently in one of our conversations that I was the strongest person she knew….I was in awe of her perception of me because I see myself as someone who falls apart on a regular basis! And so, I am grateful that I am able to be who she needs me to be right now. I am limping along, trying to honor all of the emotions that have been visiting me these days…all the while wishing they would go away and I could have some semblance of a “normal” brain, whatever that is!
My lovely friends….thank you for being here and for being my wounded healers.
I am grateful to see Brother Sun shining so brightly this morning.
I am grateful for the acupuncture appointment that I have today and that my fibromyalgia pain seems to be abating somewhat.
So very grateful for the “head knowledge” that my daughters are both surrounded by angels….I am hoping that this truth will make it’s way into my heart and spirit.
~Sending you all a warm hug
“Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you”
So lovely to see you, Diane!
Isn't it amazing how there is often such a wide gulf between how others see us and how we see ourselves? Sometimes, I will receive a compliment and my brain won't even register it as belonging to me.
A friend of mine said a friend of hers told her that when she receives a compliment, she has learned to say thank you and then casually put her hand over her heart area and rub some gentle circles to "rub it in" and thus help her fully accept it.
My friend to...
So lovely to see you, Diane!
Isn’t it amazing how there is often such a wide gulf between how others see us and how we see ourselves? Sometimes, I will receive a compliment and my brain won’t even register it as belonging to me.
A friend of mine said a friend of hers told her that when she receives a compliment, she has learned to say thank you and then casually put her hand over her heart area and rub some gentle circles to “rub it in” and thus help her fully accept it.
My friend told me on the phone this after she had paid me a compliment, and I had said thank you a bit uncertainly, I guess. There was a pause, then she said, “Did that one sink in, or did it bounce off as usual?”
We laughed, but she is right. I have been coated in teflon regarding compliments! So now I try to remember in the moment and rub them in. ????
My anxiety has been high at times lately, too. I thought this time last year that if my husband could just find a job, I would be happy. Instead, it opened up new boxes of things to be healed.
Through this process, I have come to see that somewhere along the way I learned to expect loss even when there is no good reason to do so. Fear of loss, pain, of loneliness is a potent miasma that can obscure our vision.
My pastoral counselor challenged me to write on Attachments, and I found my thoughts going in two different directions on it. One emerged as a poem dealing more with standard issues of loss. The other has been more problematic and convoluted as it stems from the upside down dysfunction of my childhood.
The gift in this is that, although not pleasant, having this pop up now is in preparation for moving into this new chapter in my life freer and clearer than I have been.
I think, too, that it simply takes time to adjust and adapt. Having your daughter near was a blessing, and having her pursue her passion will be, too, in time.
I remind myself of this regularly — everything takes time.
Much love to you.
Dear Aine:
As per usual, your words so resonate with me. I was nodding in recognition when I read:
"..... I have come to see that somewhere along the way I learned to expect loss even when there is no good reason to do so. Fear of loss, pain, of loneliness is a potent miasma that can obscure our vision."
How did you manage to look inside my brain Aine! See...this is what I mean by us being wounded healers. Only another person who grew up in a dysfunctional environment could understan...
Dear Aine:
As per usual, your words so resonate with me. I was nodding in recognition when I read:
“….. I have come to see that somewhere along the way I learned to expect loss even when there is no good reason to do so. Fear of loss, pain, of loneliness is a potent miasma that can obscure our vision.”
How did you manage to look inside my brain Aine! See…this is what I mean by us being wounded healers. Only another person who grew up in a dysfunctional environment could understand this thought process. The truth is there…..I do “expect loss” because every time growing up when things seemed to be fairly OK and I relaxed….boom! There goes the rug being pulled out from under me.
Thank you for sharing….it was a gift to me. It helps so much to know that we are not alone in our struggles and challenges.
BTW…..I am a lover of rituals and I am enamored with the idea of rubbing the complements into my heart so they sink in and don’t bounce off! How fun! It reminds me of a ritual that I have to rub aromatherapy oils into my neck and shoulders while speaking to my fibromyalgia pain. I tell my muscles that I am sorry they are hurting so much and I thank them for all that they do for me. Right before my total hysterectomy, I rubbed the oils into my abdomen area and thanked all of my reproductive organs for how they had served me in bringing my daughters into this world.
So lovely to be here with you Aine….thank you for welcoming me back so generously.
~Blessings and bunches of love
Yes, dear Diane,
Oh, yes! You get it, the relaxing...then the boom!! Ugh! It meant there was never any way to feel safe, to relax, to know where to put your foot to avoid other people's landmines. Relaxation is not possible in such circumstances.
It actually rewired circuits in our young brains to experience that mess. Those circuits then cause ongoing misfiring where we sense danger when there is no real cause expect both pain and loss when, again, there is no present threat.
PTSD st...
Yes, dear Diane,
Oh, yes! You get it, the relaxing…then the boom!! Ugh! It meant there was never any way to feel safe, to relax, to know where to put your foot to avoid other people’s landmines. Relaxation is not possible in such circumstances.
It actually rewired circuits in our young brains to experience that mess. Those circuits then cause ongoing misfiring where we sense danger when there is no real cause expect both pain and loss when, again, there is no present threat.
PTSD studies have advanced so much farther in recent years. Also, when you add the trapped quality into the mix, be it a POW or an abused child, you get the wrinkle of CPTSD.
However, there are a number of ways to heal this damaged wiring, as I am finding of late. They have proved both the trauma damage AND the healing post treatment via the use of functional MRIs! Isn’t that beyond COOL??!?
(Sorry. I had a little Geek out moment there.)
I have found that the inability to relax, that sense of being on alert most of the time, is directly related to the tangle that makes up my pain issues snarl. One hynotherapy meditation I do has you tense your hands, feet, stomach, chest, face, and jaw, then take a deep breath and hold it before releasing. I got a real ah-ha moment when I realized the tensed up feeling was how I felt most of the time. I had never noticed that as the pain and tension felt normal to me.
I knew Anxiety ramped up my pain levels. I have lately found that a lot of stored shame from the dysfunctional upbringing and relationship triggers the rise in Anxiety, thus triggering the pain. And when I worked with the Shame as a body sensation, I learned it was experienced as Terror in my physical body. I could not understand why I experienced Shame in my body as terrified uncontrollable shaking, but I sat with it anyway. Now it makes sense as so much of the stored shame was delivered in an atmosphere of aggression.
Love the oils story. Another way we are similar! I have been annointing myself with oil I infused with Self-Heal this past summer as it deepens emotional healing. I added frankincense, too, because it felt right. I annoint my heart, throat chakra, around the eyes, and third eye, then my husband annoints the pain spots I cannot reach. The ritual is helping, I do believe.
I don’t know if any of this will help you, but I felt like I was to share it, so if not you, then whoever else! ????????????
Gentle loving hugs and the benediction of Peace. ????
How funny. I scrolled down after I wrote this and found your comment to Nancy. So my message joins your daughter’s wisdom on the effect on the brain. She is correct — The ongoing pain is indeed experienced as trauma by the brain thus adding to the damaged circuits from the dysfunctional childhood.
The good news is that the brain is amazing and can heal from this!
It is so good to see you Diane. We have missed you here. I have worried that it was the pain of your fibromyalgia keeping you away. I am glad to hear it has been abating somewhat for you and I hope the acupuncture will help it even more today. How wonderful that your daughter sees you as the strongest person she knows. It means you are doing your job right and well as a mother. No matter how old our children become they will always be our children. And, we never stop wanting to protect them. Ret...
It is so good to see you Diane. We have missed you here. I have worried that it was the pain of your fibromyalgia keeping you away. I am glad to hear it has been abating somewhat for you and I hope the acupuncture will help it even more today. How wonderful that your daughter sees you as the strongest person she knows. It means you are doing your job right and well as a mother. No matter how old our children become they will always be our children. And, we never stop wanting to protect them. Returning a warm hug to you. And, thank you for sharing your beautiful prayer. I hope you have a lovely pain-free day today
Dear Nancy....thank you so much for your kind words and wishes my friend. I am continuing to practice self-care.....for my body, mind and spirit. My older daughter offered me some wisdom yesterday. She suggested that my heightened level of fear and anxiety lately is linked to the effects on my brain of living with chronic pain....which lately has been exacerbated, probably from the cold weather. I have always tried to approach my chronic illness holistically...I'm a great believer in the mind-...
Dear Nancy….thank you so much for your kind words and wishes my friend. I am continuing to practice self-care…..for my body, mind and spirit. My older daughter offered me some wisdom yesterday. She suggested that my heightened level of fear and anxiety lately is linked to the effects on my brain of living with chronic pain….which lately has been exacerbated, probably from the cold weather. I have always tried to approach my chronic illness holistically…I’m a great believer in the mind-body connection. I guess I just forgot to remember that!
But….I also am very aware that I live with the truth that you shared. My older daughter is 34 and my younger is 23 (proving that God has a sense of humor!) and I will never stop wanting to protect them, as you said. And Palm’s message about letting go….it seems I’ve had to do that over and over through the years. And most likely will have to continue to do so for years to come.
So now my dear Tree-Sister…I am off to do some gentle Qigong stretching, followed by a date with my heating pad! I imagine that my muscles are going to smile and thank me for being so kind to them.
~Blessings
Dear Diane, thank you for sharing, I have also been anxious about my little daughter starting at a new school (over here January is the start of the school year), your words are meaningful to me, and as I go through this challenging time, the message I keep getting from the little voice is “let go…” I need to trust, trust in her that she will find her own way, of course with all the support we can give her, trust in the teachers, that they are acting on her best interest, but I can be ther...
Dear Diane, thank you for sharing, I have also been anxious about my little daughter starting at a new school (over here January is the start of the school year), your words are meaningful to me, and as I go through this challenging time, the message I keep getting from the little voice is “let go…” I need to trust, trust in her that she will find her own way, of course with all the support we can give her, trust in the teachers, that they are acting on her best interest, but I can be there also to advocate when needed, and now, reading your post, trust the angels that will guide her. I once read that letting go is the ultimate gift and the most generous thing a parent can do… Letting go also of the need to try so hard for things to ‘work out’ … if they don’t work, there will be another solution, no matter how hard we have worked to get to the present one.
I want to share with you a small night prayer that came to mind, that sometimes I say to my daughter, and given that grateful sea also speaks about angels: “Buenas noches, sueῆa con los angelitos” Good night, dream with the little angels
Blessings to all our dear friends here, thank you dearly to Nancy for thinking of me and I hope you enjoyed the sight of the blue blood moon !
Dear Palm....thank you so much for your kind and wise words. Yes...letting go! And trying to hard for things to work out! Such a challenge for us moms. But calling on the angels definitely does help.
It's so amazing (but not surprising...this kind of thing often happens here in this sacred space) that you should share your night prayer with me.
When my daughter was living in Spain last year, each night before I went to sleep, I would text her "Dulces suenos mi hija". (Sweet dreams my da...
Dear Palm….thank you so much for your kind and wise words. Yes…letting go! And trying to hard for things to work out! Such a challenge for us moms. But calling on the angels definitely does help.
It’s so amazing (but not surprising…this kind of thing often happens here in this sacred space) that you should share your night prayer with me.
When my daughter was living in Spain last year, each night before I went to sleep, I would text her “Dulces suenos mi hija”. (Sweet dreams my daughter) I still do it now, even though she’s back in the U.S.
My friend…you have helped me tremendously by sharing about your own challenges and offering me your encouragement so generously.
~Wishing you a day filled with angel-blessings
It goes both ways dear friend, thank you
Thank you, dear Palm, for your encouraging words: "Letting go also of the need to to try so hard for things to "work out"...if they don't work, there will be another solution, no matter how hard we have worked to get to the present one."
I really needed this reminder today. I have been wrestling with this issue, with my desire to "make everything work out." As if it was my responsibility to run the universe or even our bit of it! I know this stems from a childhood and adult relationship with...
Thank you, dear Palm, for your encouraging words: “Letting go also of the need to to try so hard for things to “work out”…if they don’t work, there will be another solution, no matter how hard we have worked to get to the present one.”
I really needed this reminder today. I have been wrestling with this issue, with my desire to “make everything work out.” As if it was my responsibility to run the universe or even our bit of it! I know this stems from a childhood and adult relationship with my parents where I was made responsible for their emotions and choices and has been a big challenge for me.
I have had to go through a time in my life where none of my solutions worked or were allowed to work, to be taken to a place where almost nothing has been within my control. It has been forcing me to see how little control I have over most everything.
Though this process produces anxiety, of course, on the other side of realizing our lack of control is more freedom than we have ever known. We’ve just got to get there! ????
I am glad it was useful, it explain the urge I had to write it, wherever it got dowloaded from…
Yes, the best part is the freedom, and I’ve heard that enlightment feels like freedom, a big hug to you !
Good morning, Diane, so nice to see you here! I’m also grateful for Brother Sun this bluebird day. I’m glad to hear that acupuncture is helping your pain. May it also help ease anxiety? So beautiful your reflection on angels, brings to mind a soft, low, lullaby-kind of song from my childhood, “all night, all day, angels watching over me.” Blessings to you of peaceful mind and easeful body as you go about your day.
Good morning grateful sea.....thank you for your blessings.
Today I do indeed have a more peaceful mind and easeful body. It's always a miracle to me how healing occurs.. Yesterday I asked my acupuncturist to focus her treatment on my "out of control" anxiety. I think that the combination of her treatment, along with the healing that comes from sharing in this sacred space (and the appearance of Brother Sun!) all worked together to bring me to a little bubble of relief.
I haven't seen...
Good morning grateful sea…..thank you for your blessings.
Today I do indeed have a more peaceful mind and easeful body. It’s always a miracle to me how healing occurs.. Yesterday I asked my acupuncturist to focus her treatment on my “out of control” anxiety. I think that the combination of her treatment, along with the healing that comes from sharing in this sacred space (and the appearance of Brother Sun!) all worked together to bring me to a little bubble of relief.
I haven’t seen any bluebirds lately, but I so love to watch the woodpeckers and mourning doves at our feeders these days
~Angel hugs to you today my friend
(((Angel hugs)))
I am grateful for reading all of your sharing here today. And, for this remarkable universe who is serving us a Super Blue Moon Lunar Eclipse. So powerful. I am heading out now (4:10 a.m. MST) to set a wonderful intention on the powerful moon. I hope all of you have a lovely day and find a simple pleasure to enjoy today
????????
Hi Nancy, love to you and all on our “pale blue dot.”
Good morning, and greetings to all of you. Every morning, I am happy to see your posts here, having a delicious cup of coffee while reading and writing. I am grateful to live another day today and to be there, able to see, taste, smell, listen, feel and ponder. So much love in all of what is there. You people nourishing in so many ways; the daily food which is available in abundance; my beloved coffee cultivated and harvested by so many people living on the other side of the globe ; water, shel...
Good morning, and greetings to all of you. Every morning, I am happy to see your posts here, having a delicious cup of coffee while reading and writing. I am grateful to live another day today and to be there, able to see, taste, smell, listen, feel and ponder. So much love in all of what is there. You people nourishing in so many ways; the daily food which is available in abundance; my beloved coffee cultivated and harvested by so many people living on the other side of the globe ; water, shelter from the cold; of which my heart sends out all may become available for all in need.
Today will be a long day concerning working hours and I will encounter many people, and each of them with a grateful heart and mind for being here with me. Have a good day all out there.
I like the thought of each of us in our ways and at various times all sitting down together, so to speak, and checking this sacred space for news of the others. So beautiful!
Hello Ose, you are now in the midst of your long day and I send out loving wishes that all may flow for you and those you encounter. An energetic circle of giving and receiving.
I am grateful for you, thinking especially now of your reflections on “staying open” and also the image of sunshine rays of the healing plant calendula. It is en-couraging for me. Yes, to trust life. As you say, “so much love in all of what is there.”
Thank you, dear grateful sea, for your warm reply! It was a day full of sensitive and grateful moments with the ones I encountered, and it is going on.
Have a lovely day Ose ????
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